Pigmentation, Lentigines, Age-Spots, Freckles and Cafe au Lait spots are all descriptions of a concentration of pigmented cells in
the skin. They are usually harmless, brown discolorations of the skin which usually occur on the hands, trunk, neck and face of people
over the age of 40. These spots are age related and are mainly caused by over-exposure to sunlight over many years, without adequate
sunscreen protection. Such spots are usually harmless and do not require medical investigation unless they change colour, size or
become irregular or fragile.
At Kings Cosmetic Clinic we can treat skin pigmentation in a variety of ways including chemical peels, gels, and laser treatments.
Chemical Treatment
Peels, such as alpha hydroxyacid peels, involve a mild acid being applied to the skin to remove the surface layer
of skin and with it the age spot. Once this has been done the healing process produces a new layer of skin that is younger looking
and more elastic. Such peels work best on fair-skinned people with light hair and blue eyes.
One of the newest conventional treatments
for age spots is alpha hydroxy acid gel and beta hydroxy acid gel. These gels are applied directly to the spots each night to lighten
the discoloration of the skin. Retin-A cream works in a similar way to these acid gels.
Laser Treatment
The Nd:YAG laser works by targeting
the brown pigment, or "melanin," present in the skin of these spots. This pigment absorbs the laser's energy and becomes scattered
within the skin's tissues. The rest is done by the body's own immune system as the skin's cleansing cells, called "macro-phages,"
digest the excess pigment and clear it from the area.
Usually age spots require only one or two treatments for removal, although larger,
darker spots may require more (up to 6 treatments once every 2 weeks). Once treated the age spots will not return. However laser treatment
cannot stop the ageing of the skin and other age spots will appear in time (these spots can be seen with our Visia Skin Analysis).
In order to minimise this patients should use sunscreen and avoid direct exposure to the sun.
Procedure
The area to be treated is assessed by the Laser Consultant. Protective eyewear is given to the client to wear. A patch test is carried out and most people respond satisfactorily, without any adverse reaction and the full treatment may then be applied.
The area may appear reddened for around 20 minutes post treatment.